Library Administrative Assistant and Research Services Librarian Recognized for Their Excellent Service


When you hear words like “exceptional,” “one of the library’s best employees” and “truly deserves to be recognized after many years of diligent service to the library and University,” you know the phrases are not describing an average employee.

And they’re not! At a recent library event, they were describing Eugene McDermott Library Administrative Assistant Susan Fisher and Research Services Librarian Matt Makowka. Fisher and Makowka were selected by their peers as this year’s Ethel Ward-McLemore Award for Library Excellence award winners, an honor established 31 years ago by Ethel Ward-McLemore and her husband Robert that rewards library staff members who have gone beyond the call of duty and exhibited outstanding service to the library and UT Dallas community.

Dean of Libraries Dr. Ellen Safley announced the 2019 McLemore winners’ names at the annual McLemore Awards dinner held on May 13 and attended by former and current McDermott Library staff members. Fisher and Makowka received a commemorative gold pen, a plaque and a check for $1,000 for their exceptional service.

Fisher was described by her colleagues who nominated her for the award as “always kind and patient and exceeds at her job,” “dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and displays a positive attitude when interacting with library staff and the University community” who has “resourcefulness, problem-solving and organizational skills that assures the completion of her directives by library administration.”

 

Susan Fisher being presented her McLemore award.

Dean of Libraries Ellen Safley with McLemore winner Susan Fisher

 

When Safley introduced the first McLemore winner and read the glowing accolades from nomination forms describing her as “amazing” and “resourceful,” Fisher said she thought, “Wow, those are some awfully nice things someone said.” Soon she realized those words were meant for her when Safley called the name “Susan Fisher.”

“I was very surprised that I won the award,” she said. “It’s nice to be recognized and I feel very appreciative that my co-workers feel the way they do and honored me with this award.”

An Oklahoma City native, Fisher works on the fourth floor in the Administrative Suite and is in charge of taking care of building issues, travel reimbursement for employees, ordering supplies, hiring paperwork, overseeing time management as well as processing payments for fines and fees, a responsibility she brought with her from her previous job as Library Cashier.

Fisher began working at the McDermott Library 10 years ago in the Circulation Department working the 3 p.m. to midnight shift. After only three months, she became the evening supervisor working from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. After almost three years, she started working days processing fines and fees, creating the Circulation schedule and working the Circulation Desk.

“I love the overall atmosphere and energy of the library when the students are here, and I like being helpful to students and other staff,” Fisher said.

But colleagues say she is certainly helpful, but she is much, much more than that!

One of Fisher’s former co-workers said in a nomination: “I shared an office with Susan as she juggled multiple responsibilities and thereby got a close-up look at her diligence and willingness to go far beyond the demands of her official job description. She has continued that noble pattern since my retirement by skillfully assuming the heavy responsibilities of her position in the Administrative Office while also continuing to perform the unique duties of her former position, thereby eliminating the need for a replacement.”

Another co-worker said, “She has the ability to multi-task while maintaining schedules and managing support not only of the administrative staff, but all library staff members.”

“She is exceptional, personally and professionally,” reads another nomination form.

 

Matt Makowka being presented his McLemore award.

Dean of Libraries Ellen Safley with McLemore winner Matt Makowka.

 

“He performs his duties in a skillful and enthusiastic way.” “He’s approachable, kind and enthusiastically willing to help students and faculty members in any way possible.” “He truly deserves this recognition after many years of diligent service to the library and to the University.” These are just a few things colleagues said about Makowka; a few even noted they were surprised he has never won before now.
Makowka is always willing to go the extra mile to help improve the user experience at the McDermott Library—whether it’s helping cover a shift, teaching a class or giving a tour, said his manager, Dr. Tiffany Norris, Associate Library Director.

“Matt is an excellent role model for the newer librarians and we’re fortunate to have him on staff,” Norris said. “He is extremely enjoyable to work with and he gets along well with his coworkers, faculty members and people across the library.”

A few years after receiving a double major in philosophy and English literature, Makowka went to UT Austin where he received his Master of Library and Information Science degree. The Dallas native also later earned a degree in Emerging Media and Communication from The University of Texas at Dallas School of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communication.

Makowka loves higher education and enjoys tracking down information and resources for students and helping students become independent learners. Before joining the McDermott Library more than 17 years ago, he held a number of positions at other libraries.

As a Research Services librarian, Makowka helps students with research questions discover where to find their answers, teaching sessions on how to prepare for research projects or presentations using library resources and services. He is also the library liaison to the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communication and purchases materials and conducts one-on-one consultations on library resources in his subject areas, which include engineering, computer science, arts, technology, emerging communication and philosophy. He also juggles a number of other duties.

“One of the things I like most about working at the library and in a collegiate atmosphere is the variety of tasks I get to do – educating, answering interesting questions, engaging in deep discussions and helping people. I suppose I would do that regardless of the type of job I worked, but the library allows me to flex my skill set and test my knowledge. It may not be every day, but there’s always something new to learn on the job,” Makowka said.

What motivates him to go beyond just job competence and instead exceed the standards of his job, Makowka said, is this: “It may sound cliché, but I just want to be my very best in life, be it at work, at home or with friends. I want to make the world a better place, not detract from it or put it down. I want to add to the human condition, not subtract.”

The McLemore Award means a lot to Makowka and is a reminder of how many employees may not realize how appreciated they really are, he said.

“It’s very touching passing a colleague in the hallway or at the desk, and they pump their fist in the air and ‘whoop’ for you. It lifts the spirit. We should all do that for each other more often,” he said.

Page Last Updated: November 6, 2023